City of Hope Orange County Pioneers immersive Spiritual Care Center
City of Hope Orange County is introducing a novel approach to spiritual care with the opening of the Wetterau Family Spiritual Care Center,designed to serve the diverse needs of its patient population. Recognizing the link between spiritual care and improved health outcomes - with research indicating 91% of advanced cancer patients experience spiritual needs – the hospital sought a solution beyond conventional,often limiting,spiritual spaces.
Traditionally, spiritual care centers either adopt a sterile, neutral aesthetic to avoid offense, or focus on a single denomination, possibly excluding individuals of other faiths. City of Hope, located in a community characterized by its ethnic, philosophical, political, and religious diversity, aimed for inclusivity.
The solution implemented is an immersive, technology-driven space.Visitors can utilize a touch screen to select from seven distinct environments projected onto a main screen and two side screens: a chapel, mandir, mosque, temple, synagogue, shorelines, or an alpine forest. This allows the space to dynamically transform based on individual preference.
The concept originated with COO Annette Morgan, who suggested leveraging immersive reality to create multiple spaces within a single room.City of Hope then consulted with patients and religious leaders through surveys and interviews to determine the desired environments.this feedback led to the selection of five primary faith traditions, alongside a natural setting for those who find spirituality in nature.
The hospital collaborated with Roger Holzberg, a former Disney “imagineer,” to develop the virtual scenes. Each environment is designed to be dynamic, featuring elements like shifting clouds, flickering candles, bird calls, and waves, creating a sense of life and immersion. The experience begins outside the selected religious building (when applicable) and gradually moves inward.
The center is slated to welcome its first patient on December 1st.Beyond patient use, the space will also be available for staff seeking a place for respite and rejuvenation. City of Hope leadership expressed gratitude for the organization’s commitment to patient comfort and its willingness to embrace innovative solutions in healthcare.
